Ron Howard to direct Beatles documentary

NEW YORK (AP) — Ron Howard will direct a documentary on the Beatles that focuses on the band's touring years during the early 1960s.

Howard announced the project Wednesday. The film is being made with the cooperation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. The Beatles company, Apple Corps, is co-producing the film.

The as-yet-untitled film is the second documentary directed by Howard, who said he's long been a Beatles fan. Howard previously made the 2013 Jay-Z documentary "Made in America."

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 1964 file photo, Ed Sullivan, center, stands with The Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney, during a rehearsal for the British group's first American appearance, on the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964. And officially kicked off Beatlemania. Ron Howard will direct a documentary on the Beatles that focuses on the band¿s touring years during the early 1960s. Howard announced the project Wednesday. The film is being made with the cooperation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. The Beatles company, Apple Corps, is co-producing the film. (AP Photo/File)

The film will run up to the Beatles' final concert in San Francisco's Candlestick Park in 1966. Much footage for the documentary has already been gathered.